Timbers v. Sounders: A monumental rivalry match despite the result

View full sizeKip Kesgard, community blogger. Do not adjust your eyes, this is the new "highlighter" alternate kits introduced by the Sounders for this season. It certainly is distinct, I'll give it that.

After the gates opened, the familiar home of the Timbers Army in section 107 was three quarters full in five minutes. As I stood in the press box, I heard the vocal entrance of the Emerald City Supporters, further enhanced by verbal taunts from the Timbers faithful. The energy and electricity was apparent everywhere, as over 15, 400 fans packed into PGE Park to see the match. While most were supporting one of the sides, some wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

What they saw was a back-and-forth tussle between two equally matched teams. The Sounders, clad in their uniquely yellow third kit, struck first as former Portland Pilot Nate Jaqua collected a crossing pass from Sanna Nyassi and headed the ball past Timbers goalkeeper Steve Cronin to give the visitors a 1 to 0 lead. Timbers fans were able to keep the faith, as the Sounders backline struggled to defend forward Bright Dike as he generated excellent chances against Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Dike finally hit pay dirt in the 38th minute, as he took on three Sounders near the top of the penalty box after Ryan Pore delivered a well placed assist. Dike shot towards goal, and while Keller got a hand on the ball, it got past him to level the score at 1, setting off a frenzied celebration in the North End. The Timbers Army was especially brilliant in supporting their team, from an amazing display at the end of the National Anthem to showing incredible passion throughout the entire game.

View full sizeKip Kesgard, community blogger. Rodrigo Lopez prepares to take a corner kick during the late stages of the Timbers - Sounders match.

The second half was a tense battle, as both sides tried to find the goal to put them ahead. The Sounders, playing an extremely physical first half, watched as the Timbers matched the intensity and the fouls piled up. Center official Ronald Legraff let both teams play, and I felt he did a decent job despite missing a few calls. He only issued cautions when necessary, and in such an intense environment, I believe that both teams couldn’t use officiating as a reason for bad performance.

The game ended up drawn as the first 90 minutes finished, and unlike other matches, the U.S. Open Cup requires a win so that someone advances, so play continued for 30 more minutes. If nobody scored in that time, the result would be decided by the dreaded penalty kick shoot-out. The extra time was highlighted by a few chances for each team, but nothing got past Keller or Cronin so the team ended two hours of play tied at 1 each. Penalty kicks might not seem like a fair way to decide a result, but at the same point, it’s a unique quirk of soccer. Penalties are less about power, but more about timing and outguessing the opposing keeper, and last night’s penalties provided a dramatic representation about the simplicity yet unyielding cruelty of soccer.

The Sounders took the momentum early in the shootout, as Pore’s effort was saved by Keller, and Sounders Nathan Sturgis and Steve Zakuani hit their shots. Timbers Doug DeMartin and Mamadou Danso made their kicks, but Sounder Fredy Montero also scored keeping them up by one. Timber Ross Smith had his effort saved, giving Sounder Patrick Ianni a chance to win the match, but his shot hit the crossbar. Timber Rodrigo Lopez scored to level things at 3, but Sounder Zack Scott scored, giving the visitors a 4 to 3 win in penalties.

Kip Kesgard, community blogger. The Timbers leave the pitch to go salute the Timbers Army for their support during the match. They played admirably against the Sounders, but just fell short in the end.

The Sounders would advance to fight another day in the Open Cup competition, but the Timbers fought valiantly. While the team might have lost, they certainly showed a lot in giving their all for almost three hours and coming up just short. The Timbers can’t dwell on the loss too long, as their other Cascadia rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps, visit on Saturday, July 3rd.